Drunken driver crashes into Chicago cruiser

Staff Reporter

CHICAGO — Ramiro Salgado allegedly broke at least four laws when he jumped into his GMC Suburban late Friday night: He was drunk, he had an open bottle of liquor with him, he had no insurance, and his driver's license was suspended, according to authorities.

It got worse after that — Salgado lost control of his SUV and crashed head on into a Chicago Police squad car, injuring the officer inside, authorities said.

His blood-alcohol level following the crash was .22 percent — nearly three times the state's .08 legal limit, Cook County prosecutors said at the Chicago man's bond hearing Saturday.

Salgado was charged with felony aggravated drunken driving as a result of the 10 p.m. crash in the 3900 block of South Morgan Street.

The 26-year-old South Side man faces up to three years in prison if convicted of that charge. He also faces misdemeanor charges for the other alleged offenses.

The police officer — who wasn't identified — suffered only minor injuries in the crash, though the collision caved in the front end of the squad car, officials said.

Salgado, a married father of two, was not injured.

His bail set at $25,000, Salgado remained in Cook County Jail late Saturday.